Date:         Fri, 14 Jul 2017 07:23:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Radius Rod Installation
In-Reply-To:  <CAMOH8L+LiQ4jF04cD=3H=GqCGMdyWmMxYVL512MLk+S3uWigtw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I already had the LCA bolted in before I began installing the radius rod. I
couldn't have gotten the LCA low enough to install the springs without a
spring compressor otherwise.

It was very difficult and tedious to get the radius rod bushings in
straight because the rod wasn't centered in the large hole. It was pressed
to the edge by the springs and weight of the suspension components, even
with the LCA raised up and the spring compressed. I can't imagine ever
taking on this job again, but if I do I think it would be easier to do as
David said, attach the radius rod to the LCA, bolt the LCA to the van, and
then raise the LCA high enough to more easily raise up the radius rod and
install the bushings. Then use a spring compressor to install the springs.
It's been many years since I installed springs with a spring compressor, so
I don't know how many complications would be involved, but clearly the
factory didn't install the radius rod the way I did. At any rate I had to
borrow a spring compressor to compress the spring already installed to get
the passenger side radius rod lined up in the LCA.

On Thu, Jul 13, 2017 at 9:45 PM, David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net> wrote:

> I'd suggest mounting the rod in the control arm *first* -- everything is
> fighting against your getting the threads lined up, so don't fight it.
> Once that's together you've got lots of leverage to get the other end to go
> in that big sloppy hole in the crossmember.
>
> Yrs,
> d
>
> On Thu, Jul 13, 2017 at 2:08 PM, Steven Shelton <shelton4@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Poor wording on my part. The end of the radius rod at the LCA is pointed
>> down at too much of an angle to line up in the threaded hole. I can't
>> raise
>> it up because the other end is resting on the bottom of the opening in the
>> frame member at the other end. This description may not be any better. I
>> have some pictures on Samba here:
>> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=682593
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 13, 2017 at 2:02 PM, Steven Shelton <shelton4@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Thanks for the suggestions. There is also a good one on Samba to detach
>> > the antiroll bar end links. That may relieve enough pressure to line up
>> the
>> > radius rod.
>> >
>> > Another question. I bought end link hardware from T3. My old hardware
>> had
>> > flat washers; the ones in the kit are cupped. Does the concave side of
>> the
>> > washers point toward the bushing or away from them?
>> >
>> > On Thu, Jul 13, 2017 at 1:55 PM, Patrick Spragge <spraggepat@gmail.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Instead of compressing the passenger spring with a spring compressor,
>> >> maybe try loading weight onto the passenger seat until the rod lines
>> up.
>> >> Not sure how far you need to move the LCA but this method may work. You
>> >> could "fine tune" with a ratchet strap.
>> >>
>> >> Patrick Spragge
>> >>
>> >> > On Jul 13, 2017, at 9:47 AM, Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM>
>> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > I have this problem on Samba but it's already bumped way down.
>> >> >
>> >> > I replaced all the front suspension bushings and ball joints on my
>> 1985
>> >> > Westfalia. I tried to re-install the radius rods but neither side
>> would
>> >> > line up with the threaded hole in the lower control arms (my radius
>> rods
>> >> > are the newer type, threaded at both ends). Looking closely, they
>> were
>> >> both
>> >> > bent, so I bought new ones. I jacked up the lower control arm until
>> the
>> >> van
>> >> > lifted off the floor jacks and the driver's side radius rod bolted
>> in,
>> >> but
>> >> > the passenger's side still will not line up. The end is below the
>> >> threaded
>> >> > hole on the LCA and can't be moved up any further because it just
>> lifts
>> >> the
>> >> > van. Do I need to use a spring compressor?
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>